The 88-year-old Southlander was the oldest of 199 competitors in action at the national masters track and field championships in Dunedin the past three days.
Mackay, a retired farmer, had a busy weekend at the Caledonian Ground - winning the men's 85 years and over 60m, 100m, 200m and long jump, and was second in the high jump and triple jump.
He took up athletics when he was 70, after younger brother Ian convinced him to give it a go.
‘‘He's a marathon runner and competed at the Masters Games. He told me that I should be doing it. I was fit, but I had never done any athletics since I was at school. So I gave it ago and that's how it started,'' he said.
‘‘I really enjoy it. You get to know so many people and it's always good to see them each time.''
Mackay tries to get to as many masters athletics meets as possible, but does not venture outside of the South Island for competition.
He keeps fit by doing three or four aerobic sessions a week, and usually does a sprinting session every Sunday.
Apart from the odd Achilles and hamstring complaint, injuries have not bothered him the past 18 years. MacKay was born in Scotland and moved to New Zealand with his family as a 12-year-old.
He attended Gore High School and went on to farm near Invercargill for most of his life.
After a busy weekend competing, he was planning for a relaxing night in Dunedin last night before heading home to Invercargill this morning.
